Applicability of two different validated models to predict axillary non-sentinel lymph node status by sentinel node biopsy in a single Italian center.

Background: The necessity of complete axillary lymph node dissection (CALND) after sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for women with sentinel lymph node metastases is a matter of debate because non-sentinel lymph nodes after CALND contain no further metastases in about 50 % of cases. Our study aims to determine the applicability in our setting of two different validated nomograms to predict axillary lymph node status after SLNB.

Methods: We collected data about all women who underwent SLNB in our Department of Surgery from 2007 to 2010, focusing on tumor, patient, and breast characteristics.

Incidence and risk factors of the intraoperative localization failure of nonpalpable breast lesions by radio-guided occult lesion localization: a retrospective analysis of 579 cases.

Background: The radio-guided occult lesion localization (ROLL) technique allows the identification of nonpalpable breast lesions by means of the preoperative, intratumoral injection of a radiotracer. Our study aimed to determine the incidence and risk factors of ROLL failure.

Methods: We collected data about all women who underwent ROLL in our department from 2002 to 2009, focusing on patient characteristics such as breast size and density, lesion size, localization, histology, radiologist, and surgeon experience.

Nine years of experience with the sentinel lymph node biopsy in a single Italian center: a retrospective analysis of 1,050 cases.

Background: This study aims to determine the prevalence and predictive factors for recurrence after sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and for sentinel lymph node positivity by SLNB in our population.

Methods: We followed up all SLNBs performed between 2002 and 2010 and analyzed data by R (version2.10.